Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Denver edged Ohio 19-18 in an epic Major League Lacrosse championship game last year. Those two teams spent most of this season at the top of the standings and now lacrosse fans in Texas will get a chance to see them renew the rivalry in the MLL Championship Game on August 19 at Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas.
Defending champion Denver used a strong defensive effort and went on a nine-goal in the second half to beat Rochester 15-8 to reach the championship game for the seventh time in franchise history.
Ohio used a two-pointer by Peter Baum to help break open a tight game and downed Florida 18-13 to earn another crack at Denver.
2. Shootout for Soldiers wrapped up its 12 location tour over the weekend in California, raising more than $34,000 to complete the year with over $650,000 raised to support veterans. Impressive work once again.
12 cities, a group of college kids and way too many miles. Thanks to those who helped us hit $650K+ for the most worthy cause out there pic.twitter.com/KTHH5db0kz
— RJ Kaminski (@RJKaminski) August 13, 2017
3. Louisville has been to four straight NCAA women’s lacrosse tournaments, but the Cardinals have some unexpected rebuilding to do. Head coach Kellie Young confirmed that the school has granted releases to nine players that are seeking to transfer.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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Former Johns Hopkins player Sol Kumin and current US Lacrosse Foundation Board Member Sol Kumin has found a new way to win – horses. Kumin had a horse win the Preakness and 2016 and two of his horses won major stakes races on Saturday at Arlington Park near Chicago.
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Tragic news from the Rochester area as former Brighton (N.Y.) lacrosse player Owen Thomas died in a boating accident on Thursday night. A memorial fund has been established in his name.
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Haynes Ratcliff is determined to get high school lacrosse started at his high school, South Iredell in Statesville, North Carolina.
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Interesting article from the Kennebec (Maine) Journal & Morning Sentinel looking at the sports specialization debate.
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The Buffalo Bandits will be a sponsor for the Wheelchair Lacrosse USA National Championship, which will be held in Buffalo from August 25-26.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Zach Turnere came to Ohio State as a lacrosse player — a US Lacrosse All-American from Missouri. But the high school football captain eventually walked onto Ohio State’s nationally-ranked football team. Now he’s a scholarship football player for the Buckeyes.
Hard work produces positive results here at Ohio State! Congratulations to @ZachTurnure25 for earning a scholarship!#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/JkHXZlmCVe
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 12, 2017
Highlights from Lax Sports Network from Ohio’s 18-13 victory over Florida.
.@MachineMLL top #Launch 18-13 in #MLL Semifinals - Earn a second chance to defeat the @DenverOutlaws for the Steinfeld Trophy pic.twitter.com/HA4NgZu7Ht
— Lax Sports Network (@LaxSportsNet) August 13, 2017
And from Denver’s win over Rochester.
.@DenverOutlaws top #Rattlers 15-8 in #MLL Semifinals - Advance to @MLL_Lacrosse Championship Game for the seventh time in franchise history pic.twitter.com/SHoKFItH3U
— Lax Sports Network (@LaxSportsNet) August 13, 2017
WHAT’S ON TAP
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Major League Lacrosse will announce the finalists for the Brine Goalie of the Year Award this afternoon.